Despite having a high-profile primary in the Idaho 1st Congressional District between 2006 nominee Larry Grant and 1996 US Senate nominee Walt Minnick (the winner to take on Bill Sali in November), there was scant news on our other district. Yes, we have two.
As recently as this weekend - and with the filing deadline less than a week away - we openly wondered if there would be a challenger to Mike Simpson in the 2nd CD.
Wonder no more.
Last night we found our candidate, a Boise real estate agent and mother named Debbie Holmes. Debbie is a first-time candidate, and will bring a refreshing outlook to this race. Debbie believes in mortgage relief for the people, not the banks, education instead of incarceration and that the Bill of Rights is not negotiable. She also calls for health care for all, and to support our troops, not defense contractors.
Not to be overlooked, Debbie's entry gives Idaho Democrats a full slate of federal candidates, along with Larry LaRocco and the winner in the 1st CD. While Mike Simpson is a formidable opponent for any Democrat, Debbie's candidacy means we're not giving him a free pass after all. Believe me, we're grateful out here.